I just assumed this was a museum, but on entering I was told there was an "interactive" tour starting in 15 minutes. This was the Watch House, where you go through the system as if you have been arrested and so you get to see what the process would have been. This was a nice surprise and was quite well done. In the actual Gaol you can walk around on your own and read the boards, or download an app and listen to that as you go. I believe that there is an option to have a guided tour but I'm not sure. There was a fair amount to see here, and I would recommend it if you are in the area.

August 2022 If horror movies are your thing, this is the place for you. This old Gaol is dark, spooky, and a dreadful reminder of how the Australian Corrections System operated until as late as the 1980s, if not later. The idea behind the Gaol was to make citizens scared to be placed in it and make released inmates never to want to return. Unfortunately, what they wanted was not what happened. For an interactive experience, do the watch house tour, where you get arrested and get talked through what happed after suspects were arrested. This is NOT a place for young kids.

The goal is well worth a visit if you are in Melbourne. The included tour of the watch house next door is quite interesting, especially as the watch house was in use until the mid 1990s. The guided tour of the goal is definitely worth the extra $5. Our tour was done by Tom, who was amazing and really brought the whole place to life.

Very interesting, lots of information and the mini tour of the old cell house next tour was good. The audio tour was helpful, there was lots to see and was worth the entrance fee. The only downside was the music coming from the university courtyard next door which was obnoxiously loud and ruined the atmosphere of the Goal. I felt sorry for the staff having to listen to that all day,

An interesting walk down a Melborne jail. Something historical to pass the time, although the boards offer information, I would have liked more. It does however give you questions which you can set about to do your own research, which I most certainly will. Free for National Trust members, but I did have one disappointment. Several rooms were either locked, or completely bare. I would have preferred if there were more exhibits, however I understand they may have been changing/adding new ones, so I hope in the future more people can learn about more things. Overall a good day out and right in the heart of Melborne.

We visited the OMG in June and we had a great time. We did the Watch House Experience and the guard taking the tour was great!! My husband got fake arrested for shoplifting and it was hilarious - this was included in our ticket price. The gaol is so well set out with very interesting information. We probably spent almost 2 hours there - including the watch house experience - and would recommend this attraction.

Take the tour and make sure you be a part of the Watchhouse Tour. It is worth it. We had a great time hearing the stories, and reading about the inmates of this famous goal. Kids really enjoyed it.

The ghost tour is just fantastic. A great informed journey through time delivered is an enjoyable engaging way by Janet. Didn’t see a lot to ghosts, but came away much better informed about Australia’s colonial past.

Visited the Old Melbourne Gaol on a Saturday morning and plenty of people had the same idea. $56 entry for 2 seniors and the reception staff were very helpful. The gaol itself is interesting and well maintained. The lighting is very dim and adds to the sombre presence of the gaol. Plenty of prison facts in each individual cell and its seems capital punishment were handed out on a regular basis. We them walked down Russell St to the old magistrates court for the guided tour. All in a good visit even though the gaol is somewhat depressing and the way humans were treated in those days, even criminals was appalling.

Been to a few gaols around the world, this was ok. Get to see all the old prison and outdoor area. Most cells with exhibits of famous inmates as well as bits about prison life generally. Lots on Ned Kelly. However, lacked interaction unlike other goals we've been to.